scholarly journals Coniacian sandstones from the North Sudetic Synclinorium revisited: palaeoenvironmental and palaeogeographical reconstructions based on trace fossil analysis and associated body fossils

Geologos ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alina Chrząstek ◽  
Monika Wypych
Keyword(s):  
Trace Fossils ◽  
Trace Fossil ◽  
Fair Weather ◽  
Soft Substrate ◽  
Southeastern Part ◽  
Shallow Marine ◽  
The North ◽  
Low Diversity ◽  
Storm Deposits ◽  
Interesting Compound

AbstractThe Coniacian quartz sandstones (Żerkowice Member, Rakowice Wielkie Formation) that crop out at quarries near Czaple-Nowa Wieś Grodziska (North Sudetic Synclinorium) contain a low-diversity assemblage of trace fossils:Gyrochorteisp.,Ophiomorpha nodosaLundgren, 1891,Ophiomorphaisp.,Phycodescf.curvipalmatum(Pollard, 1981), ?Phycodesisp.,Planolitescf.beverleyensis(Billings, 1862),Thalassinoides paradoxicusWoodward, 1830 and ?Thalassinoidesisp. Moreover, interesting compound burrow systems, here referred to asThalassinoides-Phycodescf.palmatusand ?Thalassinoides-Phycodes, were recognised at the Czaple Quarry. Additionally, ?Gyrochorteisp.,Phycodescf.flabellum(Miller and Dyer, 1878) and ?Treptichnusisp. were encountered at correlative levels in the Rakowice Małe Quarry. Some of these ichnotaxa have not been recorded previously from Coniacian sandstones of the Żerkowice Member. Additionally, in slabs of these sandstones, the gastropodNerinea bicinctaBronn, 1836 and the bivalveLima haidingeriZittel, 1866 were found. These interesting finds, in particular the gastropods, were already noted from the study area in the first half of the twentieth century by Scupin (1912–1913). Ethologically, the trace fossil assemblage is represented by domichnia or domichnia/fodinichnia (Ophiomorpha,Thalassinoides), fodinichnia (Phycodes) and pascichnia (Gyrochorte,Planolites). The compound burrow systems (Thalassinoides-Phycodes) are interpreted as dwelling/feeding structures. The possible tracemakers are crustaceans (Ophiomorpha,Thalassinoides) or worm-like animals (annelids and other) (Planolites, ?Phycodes,Gyrochorteand ?Treptichnus). The assemblage of trace fossils is characteristic of theSkolithosichnofacies andCruzianaichnofacies, typical of shallow-marine settings. Ichnological studies, as well as the presence of accompanying fossils (bivalves, gastropods), confirm the palaeoenvironmental reconstruction of the Żerkowice Member sandstones by Leszczyński (2010). That author interpreted the Coniacian sandstones as bar and storm deposits laid down in a shallow epicontinental sea (mainly the foreshore-upper shoreface; up to the middle shoreface) under normal oxygenation and salinity, in soft substrate, above fair-weather wave base. The deposition of the Żerkowice Member sandstones is linked to a regression that started after uplift of the southeastern part of the North Sudetic Synclinorium.

Trace fossil assemblages reflecting stressed environments in the Middle Jurassic Carmel Seaway of central Utah

1999 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 711-720 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. De Gibert ◽  
A. A. Ekdale
Keyword(s):  
Benthic Community ◽  
Middle Jurassic ◽  
Trace Fossils ◽  
Trace Fossil ◽  
Pore Waters ◽  
Shallow Marine ◽  
Marine Carbonate ◽  
Marine Carbonates ◽  
Low Diversity ◽  
Fossil Assemblages

The shallow-marine Carmel Formation (Middle Jurassic) in central Utah hosts low-diversity trace fossil assemblages, including Arenicolites, Chondrites, Gyrochorte, Lockeia, Planolites, Protovirgularia, Rosselia, Scalarituba, Skolithos, Taenidium, and Teichichnus. Non specialized ichnotaxa with a remarkably small burrow size dominate the assemblages. The amount of bioturbation is lower than expected in comparison with modern shallow-marine carbonate environments. These ichnological features also are significantly different from those of other Jurassic shallow-marine carbonates. The trace fossils represent an environmentally stressed benthic community in a marginal marine, restricted setting, with salinities above normal marine and with depletion of oxygen in pore waters.

Latest Devonian–Earliest Mississippian nearshore trace-fossil assemblages from West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland

1987 ◽  
Vol 61 (5) ◽  
pp. 865-889 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas W. Bjerstedt
Keyword(s):  
West Virginia ◽  
Trace Fossils ◽  
Price Formation ◽  
Late Devonian ◽  
Tidal Channel ◽  
Fair Weather ◽  
The West ◽  
North Central ◽  
The North ◽  
Channel Systems

Trace fossils are used in deposystem analysis of Late Devonian–Early Mississippian nearshore facies in the north-central Appalachian Basin. These nearshore facies resulted from separate transgressions during latest Devonian (Cleveland Shale) and earliest Mississippian (Sunbury Shale) time. Emphasis is placed on a well-exposed section at Rowlesburg, West Virginia, where the Oswayo, Cussewago Sandstone, and Riddlesburg Shale Members of the Price Formation are exposed.The Oswayo Member at Rowlesburg preserves an offshore-to-lower shoreface transition in a complex of euryhaline, protected-bay, lagoon, and possible estuarine facies. Cruziana is common and occurs along with Arthrophycus, Bifungites, Chondrites, Planolites, Palaeophycus, Rhizocorallium, Rosselia, Rusophycus, and Skolithos in intensely bioturbated mudstone, siltstone, and sandstone. These lithologies were deposited below fair-weather wave base and grade upsection to upper shoreface facies comprised of thick, horizontally-laminated sandstones with thinner, burrowed mudstone interbeds. Upper shoreface traces consist of Arenicolites, Cruziana, Diplocraterion, Dimorphichnus, Planolites, Thalassinoides, and Skolithos. Skolithos “pipe rock” sandstones occur at the toe of upper shoreface facies. Eastward the Oswayo Member grades into a restricted-bay facies and finally into beach and tidal flat facies near its stratigraphic wedge-out in eastern West Virginia and western Maryland. The Cussewago Sandstone Member at Rowlesburg overlies the Oswayo and is bounded at the top by a disconformity. The Cussewago contains Arenicolites, Isopodichnus, Phycodes, Planolites, and Skolithos in upper shoreface sandstones possibly related to deposition in deltaic or tidal channel systems.Regionally, the Riddlesburg Shale records a range of euryhaline environments in shallow-shelf, open-bay, and probable estuarine facies. The Riddlesburg Shale Member at Rowlesburg is comprised of dark-grey silty shales, siltstones, and hummocky cross-stratified sandstones. Trace fossils include Bergaueria, Bifungites, Fustiglyphus?, Helminthopsis, Planolites, and Skolithos. Lithofacies of the Riddlesburg Shale in West Virginia were markedly influenced by a syndepositionally active basement feature, the West Virginia Dome. Riddlesburg-age shoreface sandstones deposited on the crest of the Dome contain apparent omission surfaces with common Rhizocorallium and Arenicolites, Cruziana?, Planolites, and Skolithos.

The Fish River Subgroup in Namibia: stratigraphy, depositional environments and the Proterozoic–Cambrian boundary problem revisited

2005 ◽  
Vol 142 (5) ◽  
pp. 465-498 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. GEYER
Keyword(s):  
Trace Fossils ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Depositional Environments ◽  
Trace Fossil ◽  
Braided River ◽  
Shallow Marine ◽  
Sequence Stratigraphic ◽  
Marine Habitats ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Distinct Sequence

The Fish River Subgroup of the Nama Group, southern Namibia, is restudied in terms of lithostratigraphy and depositional environment. The study is based on partly fine-scaled sections, particularly of the Nababis and Gross Aub Formation. The results are generally in accordance with earlier studies. However, braided river deposits appear to be less widely distributed in the studied area, and a considerable part of the formations of the middle and upper subgroup apparently were deposited under shallowest marine conditions including upper shore-face. Evidence comes partly from sedimentary features and facies distribution, and partly from trace fossils, particularly Skolithos and the characteristic Trichophycus pedum. Environmental conditions represented by layers with T. pedum suggest that the producer favoured shallow marine habitats and transgressive regimes. The successions represent two deepening-upward sequences, both starting as fluvial (braided river) systems and ending as shallow marine tidally dominated environments. The first sequence includes the traditional Stockdale, Breckhorn and lower Nababis formations (Zamnarib Member). The second sequence includes the upper Nababis (Haribes Member) and Gross Aub formations. As a result, the Nababis and Gross Aub formations require emendation: a new formation including the Haribes and Rosenhof and possibly also the Deurstamp members. In addition, four distinct sequence stratigraphic units are deter-minable for the Fish River Subgroup in the southern part of the basin. The Proterozoic–Cambrian transition in southern Namibia is most probably located as low as the middle Schwarzrand Subgroup. The environmentally controlled occurrence of Trichophycus pedum undermines the local stratigraphic significance of this trace fossil which is eponymous with the lowest Cambrian and Phanerozoic trace fossil assemblage on a global scale. However, occurrences of such trace fossils have to be regarded as positive evidence for Phanerozoic age regardless of co-occurring body fossils. Other suggestions strongly dispute the concept of the formal Proterozoic–Cambrian and Precambrian–Phanerozoic boundary. Carbon isotope excursions and radiometric datings for the Nama Group do not help to calibrate precisely the temporal extent of the Fish River Subgroup. Fossil content, sequence stratigraphy and inferred depositional developments suggest that this subgroup represents only a short period of late orogenic molasse sedimentation during the early sub-trilobitic Early Cambrian.

scholarly journals Trace fossils and ichnofabric in the Kj0lby Gaard Marl, uppermost Cretaceous, Denmark

1983 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. 107-119
Author(s):  
A. A. Ekdale ◽  
R. G. Bromley
Keyword(s):  
Trace Fossils ◽  
Trace Fossil ◽  
Depositional History ◽  
Major Phase ◽  
Sea Floor ◽  
Low Diversity ◽  
History Of ◽  
Basal Portion ◽  
Brown Clay

The Kj0lby Gaard Marl (Late Maastrichtian) is a 30 cm-thick, grayish brown, clay-rich, pelagic carbonate unit (75 to 85% CaCO3 ) exposed in the Limfjord region of northern Jylland, Denmark. Trace fossil suites and ichnofabric (the sedimentary fabric resulting from all phases of bioturbation) reflect a complex depositional and post-depositional history of the marl unit, which is sandwiched between comparatively pure chalk strata above and below. Initiation of marl deposition occurred gradually and episodically, as indicated by a micro-styolitic fabric resulting from solution-compaction of finely alternating chalk and clay laminae in the basal portion of the bed. During the major phase of marl deposition represented by the middle and upper parts of the unit, the sea floor apparently was very soft and was colonized by an active infauna which produced a low-diversity suite of trace fossils dominated by horizontal burrows. These are now preserved in a highly compacted ichnofabric which is totally bioturbated but contains no easily identifiable trace fossils. As the sedimentary mode returned to chalk deposition, the marl was buried and subsequently strengthened by compaction sufficiently to allow its colonization by a deeper-burrowing infauna that normally preferred somewhat stiffer, chalky substrates. Thus, the original ichnofat,ric was modified by the introduction of late-genera­tion, sharply defined and relatively uncompacted "chalk" trace fossils (Thalassinoides, Zoophycos and Chondrites, probably appearing in that order). These are superimposed directly on top of the earlier, highly deformed burrows of the initial trace fossil suite.

Sedimentology and ichnology of Bathonian (Middle Jurassic) ore-bearing clays at Gnaszyn, Kraków- Silesia Homocline, Poland

2012 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 281-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulina Leonowicz
Keyword(s):  
Bottom Sediment ◽  
Middle Jurassic ◽  
Trace Fossil ◽  
Fair Weather ◽  
Nearshore Area ◽  
Sedimentary Structures ◽  
Sea Bottom ◽  
Sw Poland ◽  
Storm Deposits ◽  
Marine Basin

ABSTRACT Leonowicz, P. 2012. Sedimentology and ichnology of Bathonian (Middle Jurassic) ore-bearing clays at Gnaszyn, Krakow-Silesia Homocline, Poland. Acta Geologica Polonica, 62 (3), 281-296. Warszawa. The lithology, sedimentary structures and trace fossil association from the Bathonian organic-rich mudstones from Krakow-Silesia Homocline (SW Poland) are described and a preliminary interpretation of the palaeoenvironment is presented. The ore-bearing clays exposed in the Gnaszyn clay-pit are developed as dark grey claysilt deposits with a few horizons of sideritic concretions. Sedimentological analysis has revealed that these deposits originated in the offshore part of a marine basin, below the fair weather wave base. Relict parallel lamination suggests that the predominant mechanism of deposition was quiet settling from suspension. However, locally preserved storm deposits indicate that the sea bottom was affected by offshore flows, deriving coarser material from the nearshore area. The degree of bioturbation is high but the diversity of the trace-fossil association is low. It consists mainly of Chondrites, Trichichnus, pyritized burrows and less common Palaeophycus. Other traces, including Thalassinoides, Planolites, Taenidium and some undetermined burrows, occur mainly in the lower part of the succession. This ichnoassociation combines features of distal Cruziana and Zoophycos ichnofacies, suggesting poor oxygenation of the bottom sediment. Temporary improvements in bottom oxygenation, linked with more intense mixing of water during major storms, resulted in the more diverse trace fossil suite that is found in some intervals of the succession.

Early Cambrian and Older Trace Fossils from the Southern Cordillera of Canada

1972 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. G. Young
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Marine Environment ◽  
Carbonate Rocks ◽  
Trace Fossils ◽  
Trace Fossil ◽  
Older Age ◽  
Early Cambrian ◽  
Shallow Marine ◽  
Sedimentary Environments ◽  
Organic Life

Metazoan trace fossils of Early Cambrian and older age have been found in parts of the Gog, Cariboo, and Miette Groups of eastern British Columbia and western Alberta. Most of them occur in beds immediately below the zones containing the earliest Cambrian trilobites and archaeocyathids. These beds represent a variety of sedimentary environments, including the beach and littoral (Skolithos – facies), and shallow marine (Cruziana – facies) environments in the upper McNaughton Formation of the Gog Group: and a moderately deep marine environment in the Midas Formation of the Cariboo Group. Below these zones evidence of organic life is mainly restricted to stromatolites in carbonate rocks, and simple feeding-burrows in argillaceous silt-stones. A rare, but important trace fossil in this zone is a doubly furrowed trail, which is herein named Didymaulichnus miettensis (gen. et sp. nov.). This fossil indicates that metazoans existed before the Cambrian Period by a span of time represented by the net deposition of up to 2000 m of detrital sediments.

Invertebrate paleoecology of the Upper Cliff coal interval (Pennsylvanian), Plateau Coal Field, northern Alabama

1987 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 439-450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael A. Gibson ◽  
Robert A. Gastaldo
Keyword(s):  
Fresh Water ◽  
Trace Fossils ◽  
Trace Fossil ◽  
Coal Field ◽  
Storm Activity ◽  
Marine Deposits ◽  
Sand Body ◽  
Low Diversity ◽  
Abundance And Diversity ◽  
Shell Bed

The Upper Cliff coal interval (Early Pennsylvanian) of northern Alabama consists of sandstone, siltstone, shale, and coal deposited within a southwestward prograding deltaic complex as previously defined using paleobotanical and sedimentological evidence. The paleoecology of two invertebrate-bearing lithofacies was studied within this context. A lower shaley-siltstone lithofacies records the inundation of the Upper Cliff #1 peat-accumulating swamp/marsh by fresh-water influenced brackish to restricted marine deposits. The fauna is dominated by the inarticulate Orbiculoidea and the trace fossil Planolites. As inundation continued, an interdistributary bay developed. Diversity and abundance of taxa increased with the establishment of a molluscan dominated Pteronites-Pianolites assemblage. The assemblage consists of a low diversity and low abundance fauna of bivalves and trace fossils that suggest soft substrates with abundant organics.The overlying sandstone lithofacies consists of a basal shell-bed (Schizophoria zone) composed of rare indigenous Pteronites and Wilkingia and a transported component of open marine epifaunal brachiopods, gastropods, and trilobite fragments. The Schizophoria zone thins to the northeast, suggesting open marine conditions to the southwest. Directly above this bed, the fauna of the sandstone lithofacies is composed entirely of Zoophycos. Higher in the section, rare Pteronites and Wilkingia occur, thus this lithofacies preserves a Wilkingia-Pteronites-Zoophycos assemblage of low abundance and diversity reflecting mobile organic-poor substrates. The sandstone lithofacies is interpreted as a migrating sand body with a basal shell-bed, initially formed probably as a result of storm activity.

scholarly journals The Late Miocene Rifian corridor as a natural laboratory to explore a case of ichnofacies distribution in ancient gateways

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olmo Miguez-Salas ◽  
Francisco J. Rodríguez-Tovar ◽  
Wouter de Weger
Keyword(s):  
Ocean Circulation ◽  
Late Miocene ◽  
Trace Fossils ◽  
Shallow Marine ◽  
Low Diversity ◽  
Shallow Marine Sediments ◽  
First Time ◽  
Palaeoenvironmental Conditions ◽  
Natural Laboratory ◽  
Ophiomorpha Rudis

AbstractOceanic gateways have modulated ocean circulation and have influenced climatic variations throughout the Earth´s history. During the late Miocene (7.8–7.35 Ma), the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea were connected through the Rifian Corridor (Morocco). This gateway is one of the few examples of deep ancient seaways with a semi-continuous sedimentary record. Deposits comprise turbidites intercalated between deep-sea mudstone (i.e., hemipelagites and drift deposits), channelized sandstone contourite facies, and shallow marine sandstone. Herein an ichnological analysis was conducted in these upper Miocene sediments to improve characterisation of palaeoenvironmental conditions. In addition, ichnofacies were analysed to elucidate how bottom currents control ichnofacies distribution and can modify their attributes. Turbidite deposits are typified by vertical trace fossils (i.e., Ophiomorpha), conforming the Ophiomorpha rudis ichnosubfacies. Contouritic sandstone exhibits high density and low diversity trace-fossil assemblage, with predominant Macaronichnus and Scolicia, resembling a proximal expression of the Cruziana ichnofacies. Shallow marine environments are dominated by vertical trace fossils (e.g., Conichnus, Ophiomorpha, Skolithos), allowing an assignation to the Skolithos ichnofacies. This study reveals for the first time a variability in ichnofacies attributes and distribution at the Rifian Corridor, associated with turbidites, contourite and shallow marine sediments. Hydrodynamic energy reveals as the major factor controlling trace maker communities in the studied seaway. Highly energetic conditions typical of shallower settings are present in deeper-water environments (i.e., slope), contributing to ichnodiversity impoverishment in ichnofacies.

Lithostratigraphy of the Kweekvlei Formation (Witteberg Group), Cape Supergroup

2017 ◽  
Vol 120 (3) ◽  
pp. 421-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Browning ◽  
M. Reid
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Transition Zone ◽  
Distal Part ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Trace Fossil ◽  
Plant Debris ◽  
Lower Carboniferous ◽  
Fossil Assemblage ◽  
Low Diversity ◽  
Storm Wave

AbstractThe Lower Carboniferous, probably Tournaisian, Kweekvlei Formation is part of the Witteberg Group (Cape Supergroup) of South Africa. Together with the overlying Floriskraal Formation, it forms an upward-coarsening succession within the Lake Mentz Subgroup. Sedimentary features of the Kweekvlei Formation suggest deposition in a storm-wave dominated marine setting, within the storm-influenced, distal part of an offshore transition zone environment. This predominantly argillaceous formation preserves a low diversity trace fossil assemblage. Reworked vascular plant debris (including the problematic genus Praeramunculus sp.) and a shark spine have been reported for the Kweekvlei Formation. There are no known stratigraphic equivalents in South Africa.

scholarly journals Pleistocene golden mole and sand-swimming trace fossils from the Cape coast of South Africa

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Martin G. Lockley ◽  
Charles W. Helm ◽  
Hayley C. Cawthra ◽  
Jan C. De Vynck ◽  
Michael R. Perrin
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Trace Fossils ◽  
Trace Fossil ◽  
South Coast ◽  
Environmental Reconstruction ◽  
Cape Coast ◽  
Southeast Coast ◽  
Show Evidence ◽  
Golden Mole ◽  
Body Fossil

Abstract More than 250 Pleistocene vertebrate trace fossil sites have been identified on the Cape south coast of South Africa in aeolianites and cemented foreshore deposits. These discoveries, representing the epifaunal tracks of animals that moved over these sand substrates, complement traditional body fossil studies, and contribute to palaeo-environmental reconstruction. Not described in detail until now, but also important faunal components, are the infaunal traces of animals that moved within these sandy substrates. Six golden mole burrow trace sites (Family Chrysochloridae) have been identified on the Cape south coast. In addition, three sites, including one on the Cape southeast coast, have been identified that show evidence of sand-swimming, probably by a golden mole with a means of locomotion similar to that of the extant Eremitalpa genus. Such traces have not been described in detail in the global ichnology record, and merit the erection of a new ichnogenus Natatorichnus, with two ichnospecies, N. subarenosa ichnosp. nov and N. sulcatus ichnosp. nov. Care is required in the identification of such traces, and the orientation of the trace fossil surface needs to be determined, to avoid confusion with hatchling turtle tracks. Substantial regional Pleistocene dune environments are inferred from these sand-swimming traces.

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